BUDESONIDE - A NEW CORTICOSTEROID IN BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA

Abstract

The time course of response to budesonide in a dose of 1000 .mu.g administered by inhalation, 800 .mu.g given by the oral route, and 40 mg prednisolone administered orally was investigated in 12 patients suffering from chronic bronchial asthma. Budesonide is an epimeric mixture of a non-halogenated glucocorticoid, 16.alpha., 17.alpha.-(22R,S)-propylmethylenedioxypregna-1,4-diene-11.beta.,21-diol-3,20-dione. Inhaled budesonide and prednisolone produced a statistically significant increase in PEF [peak expiratory flow] 2 h after being administered. The peak effect appeared to occur 6-7 h after budesonide inhalation and .apprx. 9 h following prednisolone. When given orally, budesonide failed to produce any substantial changes in PEF.